The government will reportedly reintroduce the Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021 by omitting the word ‘Bhumiputra’ and after receiving suggestions from the people. However there are some questions. What was the need to pass such a Bill? Why was it passed in such a tearing haste? Why was there no discussion on the Bill in the recently held assembly session? Was there a demand from Goans for such a Bill? In what way will the Bill favour Goans? Will only a change in the name of the Bill be meaningful? There needs to be a public debate on the issue. It is understood that the general public can send suggestions on a website link and that the Bill will be reintroduced in the winter session of the assembly. It would be right for all the suggestions to be made public. The government needs to allay fears that the general public has over the Bill favouring migrants.
